Ambulance cot hook



Nov. 14, 1950 E. L. SCHOFIELD AMBULANCE COT HOOK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1948 far/ L. 50%??? Nov. 14, 1950 E. SCHOFIELD AMBULANCE co'r noox 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 4, 1948 Patented Nov. 14, 1950 AMBULANCE COT HOOK Earl L. Schofield, Rockford, -Ill., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Superior Coach Corporation, Lima, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 4, 1948, SerialNo. 6,222

Claims. 1

This invention relates to a new and improved cot hook for use in ambulances and the like.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a cot hook having dual control, meaning that the cot may be released from the front or rear with equal facility, the full length tubular guide forming the "body of the device and the part in which the movable jaw is guided for reciprocatory movement serving also to house the rods extending from the movable jaw to the front and rearends of the device to permit release of the-cot from either end-and also assuring smooth accurate engagement of the cot with the fixed jaw'on the front end of the device under all conditions and without any jarring or jostling of the patient, thereby incidentally preventing damage to the wheel-house by making it impossible for the cot to'scra-pe thereon.

Another object is to providea cot hook in which a spring is provided in the fixed jaw to compensate for cot post variation and insure quiet rattle-free operation at all times, and in which the movable jaw, which is spring pressed toward locked position, has 'a cam face on the end thereof to cause the jaw to be moved automatically out of the way by sliding engagement with the rear cot post by merely swinging the rear end of the cot toward the cot hook after the front end 'hasbeen properly engaged, there beingan antifriction guide roller on the tubular body of the cot hook in a predetermined spaced relation to the movable jaw, to facilitate the locking operation and thereafter assume the thrust incident to the operation of the vehicle, the cot in its locked position having abutment with the last mentioned roller at the rear-and the fixed jaw at the front, so that the locking mechanism, of which the movable jaw is the principal part, is 'not called upon to absorb any'of the thrusts incident to starting and stopping of the vehicle, and, "of course, with the high speeds common today in the operation of ambulances and the many emergency quick stops that are necessary, this feature isof great importance.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a cot hook made in accordance with my invention, three intermediate portions of the structure being broken away to permit showing all of the more important parts .011 a larger scale in one view, and

Figs. 2 and 3 are a plan view and side view of the cot hook installed in an ambulance, and

showing a cot in connection therewith to illustrate how the same is designed to be used.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts in these three views.

Referring first mainly to Fig. 1, the reference numeral 4 designates the tubular body of the cot hook, in which all of the moving parts are substantially fully enclosed. The fixed hookshaped jaw 5 on the front -end'of the device has a tubular bearing portion fientered in the front end of the tube 4 and suitably secured thereto, as by means of screws 7 (Fig. 2). The bearing 6 provides a guide-8 for a reciprocable control rod 9 projecting from the front end of the device and carrying an operating knob or handle it] on the outer end thereof. This rod has a collar II pinned thereon at some distance from the bearing 6 inside the tube 4, and a coiled compression spring I2, which encircles the rod 9 inside the tube 4, has abutment at one end against the bearing 6 "and at the other end against .the collar II to urge the rod 9 rearwardly, whereby accordingly to maintain the movable jaw I3 under spring pressure toward locked position, inasmuch as the rear end of the rod Sis threaded into the front end of the plunger I4, as at I5, and this plunger has the jaw I3 suitably secured thereto and projecting from one side thereof through an elongated slot I6 provided in the wall of the tube i. The plunger I 4 is enlarged to nearly the full inside diameter of the tube 4 only at its front and rear ends ll and I8, and is of intermediate diameter throughout the remainder of the front half portion, as indicated at I9, wherein the butt portion 20 of the jaw I3 is mounted in a diametrically extending slot 2| and fastened by pins 22, or other means. The rest, or the rear half portion of the'plunger I4, is of still further reduced diameter, as indicated at 23, for lightness and economy. By spacing the bearing portions Ill and I8 the maximum distance in opposite directions from the cot'holding end24 of the jaw I3, I reduce the unit bearing pressure to a minimum and, accordingly, insure easier sliding movement. A bearing plug "25 is entered in the rear end of the tube '4 and provides a guide 26 for another control rod 2''! that is threadedintothe'rear end of the plunger 1 3, 'as 'indicated'at 28, and this rod'also carries a control knob or handle 2% on its outer end. Nuts 30 threaded on the inner endsof the rods 9 and 21 are tightened against the opposite ends of the plunger I4 to lock the rods against turning so as to prevent their becoming accidentally unfastened. A sleeve 3| is fastened, as by means of screws 32, to the tube t, and has a forked portion 33, in which a roller 34 is mounted to turn freely on a vertical pin '35 in a predetermined 3 rearwardly spaced relation to the movable jaw [3. Special attention is called here to the inclination of the end face 3% of the jaw 13 in relation to the periphery of the roller 3 because the angularity of this surface is so slight in relation to the arc of movement of the rear cot post, indicated in section at 31 in Fig. 1, when the front cot post, indicated in section at 38, is engaged with the fixed jaw that the movable jaw [3 can be moved out of the way easily by cam action, the plunger M, by reason of the special construction hereinbefore described, sliding with minimum resistance in the tube t against the action of the spring [2 in this operation. The roller 34, turning so freely, also facilitates this locking operation. As soon as the post 37 clears the operating end 243 of the movable jaw [3, the latter snaps back into place under pressure of the spring 12 and positively locks the post 31 between the tube A, roller 34, and jaw I3, as shown in Fig. l. A plunger 39 projects through a hole 40 in the jaw 5 and is slidable in a bore 4! provided in the jaw. The plunger is hollow and encloses a coiled compression spring 42 which is seated against a plug 43 that is pinned in place in the outer end of the bore 4|. This plunger is depressed to a certain extent by the front cot post 38 in the attachment of the cot to the cot hook, and the spring exerting pressure on the plunger keeps the same under enough pressure to prevent rattling.

The cot hook is demountably supported on the side of the wheel housing inside the body 65 of the ambulance by means of a bracket 66 and the sleeve 3|, the bracket 48 having the T-shaped portion 4'! on the back thereof adapted to fit in a T-slot in an attaching plate 48 fastened to the side wall of the wheel housing, and the sleeve 3i having a pad portion 39 that is slotted on its lower end to receive the shank of a screw it] threaded in a hole in another attaching plate 5| fastened to the side wall of the wheel housing. The cot 52, on the side of which the spaced vertical posts 3? and 38 previously mentioned are provided, is equipped with the usual caster wheels 53 so that it can be rolled into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, at an acute angle to the wheel housing, and then moved sidewise toward the final position indicated in dot 'and dash lines, parallel to and abutting the tubular body 4 of the cot hook.

v The operation of the cot hook is believed to be clear from the foregoing description. The front post 38 must be first engaged in the hook-shaped stationary jaw 5, and, once that has been done, it is an easy matter to lock the rear post 31 behind the movable jaw i3, because that jaw is automatically cammed forwardly by sliding engagement at 3-6 on the front of the post 37 as the post also is rollingly engaged from the rear by the roller 3 to guide it home with minimum resistance to such movement. The special construction of the plunger 14, plus the fact that it is, of course, well lubricated for easy operation in the tube 4, makes the locking and unlocking operation easy, the plunger l4 being movable with the same ease from either end, by a pull on knob it] or a push on knob 29. The springpressed plunger 39 eliminates rattles so that .there will be no noise to disturb a patient riding on the cot.

It is believed the foregoing description con- ;veys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended 4 claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In a cot hook, a horizontal hook-shaped jaw mounted on a support for releasably hooking onto an upright post or the like on one end of a cot disposed alongside the support, another horizontal hook-shaped jaw movably mounted on said support in spaced relation to the first jaw and facing in the same direction as the first jaw for releasably locking engagement with another upright post or the like on the other end of the cot, a single spring normally urging the second jaw to one extreme position in locking relation to the second post, a stationary abutment on said support in a fixed spaced relationship to the first jaw for engagement with the second post on the opposite side thereof from the second jaw, whereby end thrust of the cot in either a forward or rearward direction is assumed by the first jaw and abutment independently of the second jaw when the cot is in transit in fastened position, and manually operable means directly connected with said second jaw moving it in either direction, movement in one direction being against resistance of said spring.

2. In a cot hook, a horizontal hook-shaped jaw mounted on a support for releasably hooking onto an upright post or the like on one end of a cot disposed alongside the support, another horizontal hook-shaped jaw reciprocable on said support in spaced relation to the first jaw for releasably locking another upright post or the like on the other end of the cot, a single spring normally urging the reciprocable jaw to one extreme position in locking relation to the second post, said second jaw having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post when the cot is hooked by its first post on the first jaw and swung about that post as a center toward the second jaw to cause the second jaw to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring in the locking of the cot in fastened position, a stationary abutment on i said support in a fixed spaced relationship to the first jaw for engagement with the second post on the opposite side thereof from the second-jaw, whereby end thrust of the cot in either a forward or rearward direction is assumed by the first jaw and abutment independently of the second jaw when the cot is in transit in fastened position, and manually operable means directly connected with said second jaw for sliding it in a cot releasing direction against resistance of said spring.

3. In a cot hook, a horizontal hook-shaped jaw mounted on a support for releasably hooking onto an upright post or the like on one end of a cot disposed alongside the support, another horizontal hook-shaped jaw reciprocable on said support in spaced relation to the first jaw for releasably locking another upright post or the like on the other end of the cot, a single spring normally urging the reciprocable jaw to one extreme position in looking relation to the second post. said second jaw having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post when the cot is hooked by its first post on the first jaw and swung about that post as a center toward the second jaw to cause the second jaw to be forced to move to retracted position against the action of said spring in the looking of the cot in fastened position, a stationary abutment on said support in a fixed spaced relationship to the first jaw on the opposite side 9. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slidable back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, and manually operable means for moving said plunger against resistance of the spring so as to release said second hook.

10. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slidable back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, a stationary abutment on said tube in a fixed spaced relationship to the first hook for engagement with the second post on the opposite side thereof from the second hook, whereby end thrust of the cot in either a forward or rearward direction is assumed by the first hook and abutment independently of the second jaw when the cot is in transit in fastened position, and manually operable means for moving said plunger against resistance of the spring so as to release said second hook.

11. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slidable back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, a stationary abutment on said tube in a fixed spaced relationship to the first hook and so shaped to define with the cam surface on the second hook the other side of an approximatel V-shaped entrance on the cot fastener for the second post wherein the post is guided toward fastened position, and manually operable means for moving said plunger against resistance of the spring so as to release said second hook.

12. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one nd portion of a cot, a plunger slidable back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon pro jecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, a roller stationarily but rotatably mounted on the side of said tube to turn on a vertical axis in a fixed spaced relationship to the first hook and defining with the cam surface on the second hook the other side of an approximately v-shaped entrance on the cot fastener for the second post wherein the post is guided toward fastened position, and manually operable means for moving said plunger against resistance of the spring so as to release said second hook.

13. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slidable back and forth in the tub intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, rods guided for reciprocation in and extending from the opposite ends of said tube and having their inner ends connected to opposite ends of said plunger, and manually operable knobs on the outer ends of said rods for manipulation of said second hook from either end of the cot fastener.

14. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-0n engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slidable back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, a stationary abutment on said tube in a fixed spaced relationship to the first hook for engagement with the second post on the opposite side thereof from the second hook, whereby end thrust of the cot in either a forward or rearward direction is assumed by the first hook and abutment independently of the second jaw when the cot is in transit in fastened position, rods guided for reciprocation in and extending from the opposite ends of said tube and having their inner ends connected to opposite ends of said plunger, and manually operable knobs on the outer ends of said rods for manipulation of said second hook from either end of the cot fastener.

15. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slid-- able back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the Second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, a stationary abutment on said tube in a fixed spaced relationship to the first hook and so shaped to define with the cam surface of the second hook the other side of an approximately vshaped entrance on the cot fastener for the second post wherein the post is guided toward fest ened position, rods guided for reciprocation in and extending from the opposite ends of said tube and'hav'ingtheir inner ends connected to opposite ends of said plunger, and manually operable knobs on the outer end of said rods for manipulation of said second hook from either end of the cot fastener.

16. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slidable back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holdin position, said second hook havin a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, a roller stationarily but ro-tatably mounted on the side of said tube to turn on a vertical axis in a fixed spaced relationship to the first hook and defining with the cam surface on the second hook the other side of an approximately V-shaped entrance on the cot fastener for the second post wherein the post is guided toward fastened position, rods guided for reciprocation in and extending from the opposite ends of said tube and having their inner ends connected to opposite ends of said plunger, and manually operable knobs on the outer ends of said rods for manipulation of said second hook from either end of the cot fastener.

17. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slid able back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a sprin normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastenin of a cot, rods guided for reciprocation in and extending from the opposite ends of said tube and having their inner ends connected to opposite ends of said plunger, and manually operable knobs on the outer ends of said rods for manipulation of said second hook from either end of the cot fastener, the spring being a compression spring and being disposed surrounding one of the rods and bearing at one end against the guide for said rod in said tube and at its other end against a projection on said rod.

18. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slidable back and forth in the tube. intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being. for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a springnormally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot'ho'ldin position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, a stationary abutment on said tube in a fixed spaced relationship to the first hook for engagement with the second post on the opposite side thereof from the second hook, whereby end thrust of the cot in either a forward or rearward direction is assumed by the first hook and abut- 1 ment independently of the second jaw when the cot is in transit in fastened position, rods guided for reciprocation in and extending from the opposite ends of said tube and having their inner ends connected to opposite ends of said plunger, and manually operable knobs on the outer ends of said rods for manipulation of said second hook from either end of the cot fastener, the spring being a compression spring and being disposed surrounding one of the rods and bearin at one end against the guide for said rod in said tube and at its other end against a projection on said rod.

19. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slide able back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, a stationary abutment on said tube in a fixed spaced relationship to the first hook and so shaped to define with the cam surface on the second hook the other side of an approximately V-shaped entrance on the cot fastener for the second post wherein the post is guided toward fastened position, rods guided for reciprocation in an extending from the opposite ends of said tube and having their inner ends connected to opposite ends of said plunger, and manually operable knobs on the outer ends of said rods for manipulation of said second hook from either end of the cot fastener, the spring being a compression spring and being disposed surrounding one of the rods and bearing at one end against the guide for said rod in said tube and at its other end against a projection on said rod.

20. A cot fastener comprising an elongated tubular frame having a horizontal hook on one end for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on one end portion of a cot, a plunger slidable back and forth in the tube intermediate the ends thereof having a second horizontal hook thereon projecting through and reciprocable in an elongated slot provided in the wall of said tube, the second hook being for hook-on engagement with a post or the like on the other end portion of the cot, a spring normally urging said plunger in one direction toward cot holding position, said second hook having a cam surface thereon arranged to be slidably engaged by the second post to cause the second hook to be forced to move to a retracted position against the action of said spring during the fastening of a cot, a

roller stationarily but rotatably mounted on the side of said tube to turn on a vertical axis in a fixed spaced relationship to the first hook and defining with the cam surface on the second hook the other side of an approximately V-shaped entrance on the cot fastener for the second post wherein the post is guided toward fastened position, rods guided for reciprocation in and extending from the opposite ends of said tube and having their inner ends connected to opposite ends of said plunger, and manually operable knobs on the outer ends of said rods for manipulating said second hook from either end of the cot fastener, the spring being a compression spring and being disposed surrounding one of the rods and bearing at one end against the guide for said rod in said tube and at its other end against a projection on said rod.

EARL L. SCHOFIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

